Surprisingly, Martha and I are still physically and mentally active at 82 and myself at 84. We garden, can and freeze vegetables. We take care of 25 acres. We have a large family scattered throughout various parts of the world. Martha continues writing poems, conducting Story of Redemption studies, and is a full partner in inside and outside activities. My mind still reaches out exploring new ideas, re-examining old ones, writing weekly reflections on religion, culture, and ideology. Our life is still deeply connected to friends, family, church and mission. In short, we are still fully engaged humans.
So, this question about A.I. is not abstract, but personal. You see, I use A.I. every week in researching data on news, cultural, and religious information. Since I read widely, try to think critically, and discern what is true, I use A.I to facilitate understanding.
I am amazed at what A.I. can do. It brings up vetted articles, media information, surveys, polls and data with detailed reference data that would take me hours if not days to research in a university library. It matters not whether is the subject is theology, culture, history, philosophy, science or ideology, it retrieves it in any form I wish at lightning speed. It is truly a gift.
But upon reflection, I pause. I learn that nearly one in ten news articles are written by A. I. without attribution. I can make it generate a poem or a story on any subject in seconds. It’s algorithms can filter information and make what is given seem “true” even it is not. Can you or I trust A.I.?
How will it affect my life? Maybe it will help me write more clearly and accurately. Perhaps I can see patterns and how traditions were formed more readily. Conceivably It can solve gardening and land problems more quickly as it helps solve disease problems world-wide. It is plausible I can understand ideologies, theology, and cultures more quickly. Is it reasonable to think I can even reach others more readily with a lifetime of reflections, encouragement, and faith with people normally beyond my reach?
How will A.I. affect my life? It leaves me hopeful, but watchful. I am hopeful A.I. will finally cure the follicular lymphoma of Martha and my prostate cancer and other difficult diseases. I hope it will create untold efficiencies in production and work allowing a better standard of living for all. I hope it will alleviate hunger and poverty.
Should you and I be cautious using A.I? Do we need to watch who and what we can trust? Should we watch whether the ethical standards from all of this change is godly? Is it necessary to be sure humanity and human dignity is not lost to impersonal robotic A. I. machines? Is it essential at this point to watch that we do not surrender our thinking, our own creativity, our masterly over the machines and thus surrender our humanity? Yes, we need to watch, be cautious, and vigilante.
Then how can I trust all this information I obtain? I must rely on the disciplines I learned in industry, as a professor, and in studying God’s word—those of disciple, critical thinking, empathy, and love. I must not rely on A. I. as my major decision maker. I must remember it is a tool, not an all-knowing master. My reflections must be truly my own, not a machine imitation. I must remain fully and completely human.
My Perspective on Today’s Conversations — Guided by Faith and Understanding
Commentary: How Will A.I. Change My Life?
Now, at 84, When I AM Still Living Fully
Surprisingly, Martha and I are still physically and mentally active at 82 and myself at 84. We garden, can and freeze vegetables. We take care of 25 acres. We have a large family scattered throughout various parts of the world. Martha continues writing poems, conducting Story of Redemption studies, and is a full partner in inside and outside activities. My mind still reaches out exploring new ideas, re-examining old ones, writing weekly reflections on religion, culture, and ideology. Our life is still deeply connected to friends, family, church and mission. In short, we are still fully engaged humans.
So, this question about A.I. is not abstract, but personal. You see, I use A.I. every week in researching data on news, cultural, and religious information. Since I read widely, try to think critically, and discern what is true, I use A.I to facilitate understanding.
I am amazed at what A.I. can do. It brings up vetted articles, media information, surveys, polls and data with detailed reference data that would take me hours if not days to research in a university library. It matters not whether is the subject is theology, culture, history, philosophy, science or ideology, it retrieves it in any form I wish at lightning speed. It is truly a gift.
But upon reflection, I pause. I learn that nearly one in ten news articles are written by A. I. without attribution. I can make it generate a poem or a story on any subject in seconds. It’s algorithms can filter information and make what is given seem “true” even it is not. Can you or I trust A.I.?
How will it affect my life? Maybe it will help me write more clearly and accurately. Perhaps I can see patterns and how traditions were formed more readily. Conceivably It can solve gardening and land problems more quickly as it helps solve disease problems world-wide. It is plausible I can understand ideologies, theology, and cultures more quickly. Is it reasonable to think I can even reach others more readily with a lifetime of reflections, encouragement, and faith with people normally beyond my reach?
How will A.I. affect my life? It leaves me hopeful, but watchful. I am hopeful A.I. will finally cure the follicular lymphoma of Martha and my prostate cancer and other difficult diseases. I hope it will create untold efficiencies in production and work allowing a better standard of living for all. I hope it will alleviate hunger and poverty.
Should you and I be cautious using A.I? Do we need to watch who and what we can trust? Should we watch whether the ethical standards from all of this change is godly? Is it necessary to be sure humanity and human dignity is not lost to impersonal robotic A. I. machines? Is it essential at this point to watch that we do not surrender our thinking, our own creativity, our masterly over the machines and thus surrender our humanity? Yes, we need to watch, be cautious, and vigilante.
Then how can I trust all this information I obtain? I must rely on the disciplines I learned in industry, as a professor, and in studying God’s word—those of disciple, critical thinking, empathy, and love. I must not rely on A. I. as my major decision maker. I must remember it is a tool, not an all-knowing master. My reflections must be truly my own, not a machine imitation. I must remain fully and completely human.
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